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Taybeh kicks off OktoberFest this weekend

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Taybeh kicks off OktoberFest this weekend

One of the most popular festivals in Palestine kicks off this weekend Sept. 16 and 17 in Taybeh, Palestine just north of the Holy City of Jerusalem. Taybeh is one of the Middle East’s few remaining Christian villages and also the home to the world famous Taybeh Brewery

By Maria Khoury

Nadim Khoury and David Khoury, co-founders of Taybeh Brewing Company announce the 13th annual Taybeh Oktoberfest at the Taybeh Brewery, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 16 & 17, 2017, 1-10 pm.

The festival has become one of the most popular events in the region since 2005 when it was initiated collaboratively with the community while David Khoury was serving as mayor of Taybeh.

The opening on Saturday, September 16th at 1 pm will include the Austrian band, “Square Waltz”-Vienna ensemble with Maria Salamon, Hannes Laszakovits, and Marc Bruckner sponsored by the Austrian Cultural Forum; Special guest is highly talented Palestinian fashion designer Edmon Imseeh going global with Edmonds Fashion.

Surprise Guest Rapper The elephant Bahaa (Al-feel) from Nablus performs at the 2017 Taybeh OktoberFest on Sunday, September 17th at 3pm

“Taybeh is the number one destination for cultural experience with a rich diverse platform. Taybeh Oktoberfest is ‘a must experience’ event and a different face of Palestine,” stated David Khoury.

This year, visitors will enjoy the newly released beer, Taybeh IPA, brewed by the brother-sister team, Canaan Khoury who took the highest scores in the world for brewing and Madees Khoury the only female brewer in Palestine hosting the highlight of the day, the beer competition.

As the original India Pale Ale (IPA) was brewed with a large portion of hops to preserve the beer on its journey to India from the UK, the Taybeh IPA with its strong aroma of freshly-picked hops, citrus and herbs can preserve the long journey to freedom. A variety of surprise and experimental new brews will be available for Oktoberfest.

Entertainment will include FISHSAMAK, one of the wildest and most energetic Palestinian live bands; Zaman Band Arabic Gypsy Music from Akka; Ahmed Marwan from the Arab Idol semi-finals. And many return all-time favorites: DAM-Palestinian Hip-Hop;MINA Band – Palestinian Traditional Music w/Nazal Zanayed; Ramallah Band w/Jack Tanous loved for traditional Palestinian music; and Alrowwad Cultural & Arts Society. New talent includes Maqdess playing fusion music from Jerusalem; Zaid Hilal Band/Bethlehem; Jabid-Geto street music; and Mohammed Al Hasn / Qalqilia with hip-hop collection. DJ Jerry Masrii and Jamal Atef LOL DJ close the celebrations.

Children’s activities: Puppet making with Rinad: face painting with clowns; shaking hands with Mickey Mouse, Almo and Sponge Bob; Henna body decorations (tattoos). Dabkeh dance groups include Taybeh Orthodox School and Alhurieh Group. The MC is the multi-talented Jerusalemite, Mr. Taha Othman, offering a first time in Palestine on stage with his side kick, Hugo the Pug. Visitors can escape the crowds and view Palestinian art exhibited at the lobby of the Taybeh Golden Hotel by prominent Palestinian artists, Sliman Mansour, Nabil Anani, and Tayseer Barakat. Taybeh Oktoberfest brings you everything! It is the perfect way to spend your weekend in Palestine.

Palestine Christian Writer, Blogger at St. George Greek Orthodox ChurchMaria (Kouremenou) Khoury is the author of Orthodox Christian children's books including Christina Goes to the Holy Land, walking the footsteps of Christ. She is a graduate of Hellenic College (1982), Harvard University (1985) and Boston University (1992) with a doctor of education degree. Born in Tripoli, Greece, she was raised in Denver, Colorado. On Dec 31, 2009 she was included on the top 4 Human Rights Champions list by DC Human Rights Examiner including the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Hilary Clinton.

Maria is the author of Witness in the Holy Land (distributed by www.HolyCrossBookstore.com), a publication reflecting personal experiences living under military occupation with her husband the former Mayor of Taybeh, David Canaan Khoury and three children Elena, Canaan, and Constantine. Her articles have been published world-wide in numerous newspapers and magazines and have been translated to various languages bringing awareness of the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

Maria Khoury has been the Taybeh Oktoberfest organizer since 2005.She divides her time between her homes in Boston and Taybeh, travels throughout the world promoting the Christina Books and making presentations about the dwindling Christian community in Palestine.She encourages people to stay at the new Taybeh Golden Hotel and experience rural life in Palestine.